New Lineup, Same Results

Heat stumbles for sixth time in past seven

It would be difficult to offer any other description to the Heat's approach in Friday night's 107-104 loss to the Orlando Magic.

With his team having lost five of its previous six, coach Pat Riley changed his starting lineup, extended his rotation -- and pushed, prodded and pleaded.

All to no avail, with his defending champions now 4-8, losing when a tying 3-pointer by guard Dorell Wright was ruled to be just after the final buzzer.

"A tough loss, but maybe a move in the right direction," Riley said.

The game's final play extended monthlong misery, when Jason Kapono's inbounds pass to Wright with four-tenths of a second to play was slightly deflected by Magic guard Grant Hill.

The referees ruled the play was not reviewable by video, because an attempt on a jumper cannot come with less than three-tenths of a second remaining. As it was, the ball left Wright's hands after time expired.

Riley argued, to no avail.

"I said, `Can't we get the prayer?'" he said of his conversation with referee Joe DeRosa. "He said, `No.'"

About the only answers for the Heat came from guard Dwyane Wade, who shifted to point guard and responded with 33 points and a career-high 15 assists.

Reduced to a one-dimensional team, the Heat went from a 78-78 tie after three quarters to an 87-78 deficit when Wade, who had played 33 of the first 36 minutes, dared sit out the first 2:19 of the final period. The Heat was outscored 19-2 overall in the 5:18 Wade sat out.

Riley followed through on his threat to shake up his struggling team, by removing forward Antoine Walker and point guard Gary Payton from the starting lineup.

The Heat instead opened with Wright in place of Walker at small forward and Kapono in place of Payton in the backcourt. As part of the shift, Wade opened at point guard instead of shooting guard, adding yet another responsibility to his already heavy load.

The starting lineup was rounded out with Udonis Haslem at power forward and Alonzo Mourning at center.

"I just threw it against the wall," Riley said. "It wasn't anything else other than to change."

Riley said he felt compelled to shuffle. "What I put out there [previously] is just not acceptable as a unit," he said.

When they did check in, Walker and Payton were shaky, with each airballing a first-half 3-pointer. Walker closed 2 of 7 from the field, Payton 0 of 4.

"We needed a change," said Walker, whose team fell to 2-5 at home. "I'm more concerned with me getting back to playing the way I'm capable of playing."

Despite again being without ailing Shaquille O'Neal, Jason Williams and James Posey, Riley went 10 deep in the first half, extending minutes to seldom-used Earl Barron and Robert Hite. The lone available players not to see action were forward Wayne Simien and guard Chris Quinn.

Riley said that in light of his team's play, there is no reason not to go deeper into his bench.

Riley said Williams would return to the active roster tonight in Charlotte against the Bobcats.

RILEY ON POINT

With Williams slow in his return from his July 21 knee surgery, and with Payton seemingly having run out of gas after extended minutes in his 11 starts, Riley acknowledged scouting the market for a veteran point guard.

"We've got a long list," he said. "I'm not going to make any kind of lateral move. It's got to be somebody who can play."

Disgruntled Sonics guard Earl Watson could fit that description, but at $24 million over four seasons, that might be a reach.

HEAT METER

Reflections from Friday's 107-104 loss to the Magic at AmericanAirlines Arena:

Difference maker: Orlando guard Grant Hill showed he still can conjure the occasional Magic, closing with 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting and a critical deflection just before the buzzer.

Chemistry lesson: The Heat's lineup change gave Dorell Wright his first home start in his three seasons.

Power play: The intriguing Wright-Dwyane Wade chemistry hit a high note when Wright, from the baseline, found a cutting Wade for a thunderous dunk in the first quarter.

Revelation: With his 33 points and 15 assists, Wade became the first Heat player to record a 30-15 involving assists. The Heat has had 26 30-15s involving rebounds as the second statistic.

About the Heat: This completes the third back-to-back of the season, with the Heat 1-1 on the second nights of the first two sets. The Heat is 7-1 against the Bobcats since Charlotte entered the league in 2004 and 3-1 on the Bobcats' home court. Center Shaquille O'Neal (knee) is out. Guard Jason Williams (knee) is probable. Forward James Posey (calf) is doubtful.

About the Bobcats: Charlotte is coming off Friday's game in Detroit. Center Emeka Okafor leads the league in blocked shots. Point guard Raymond Felton played all 48 minutes earlier this week in a victory over Boston, the first time a Bobcat had played a complete game. Rookie swingman Adam Morrison has begun to emerge after a shaky debut. Guard Brevin Knight (calf) is probable.